A lot of people think that getting a parking ticket is something that only happens to you after you have done something wrong. But that is not true at all! You can get a parking ticket if you are not aware of certain signs and you are not careful enough when you are driving through a gas station. So in this article, we will tell you about some of the things you can do to avoid getting a parking ticket for driving through a gas station.
Take The Long Way Home
If you are driving through a gas station and you notice there is a long line of cars ahead of you in the drive-through, take the long way home, because that is usually the safest route. But sometimes that can be a pain, because it takes longer. So if you can avoid that drive-through by taking a back road, do so!
A lot of gas stations are set up in such a way that they block off the middle lanes to accommodate the cars waiting in line. So while you are patiently waiting in line, you are not supposed to be driving through the middle lanes. Take the back roads and bypass those gas stations.
Pay Attention To Traffic
There are always cops around when there is an accident or a crime scene, but that does not mean that all the cars in the area are going to be stopped. You have to pay attention to the flow of traffic and when the cops are not around, you have to be careful not to break the law. So if you see a cop, pull over and wait until he or she makes it to your car and then you can continue on your way. If you get a ticket, it will be a lot easier to fight it without a cop right there. This one might seem obvious, but a lot of people do get a ticket because they do not pay attention to the road ahead of them.
Check The Signs
Parking signs are usually very specific and they usually indicate certain things. Do not assume that because there is no parking available at a certain place that you can just go there and park. Some places require you to look for a sign and some do not have signs at all. You can get a ticket for going through a no-parking zone or a no-parking zone with a sign. So always check the signs before you start parking, because you do not want to get a ticket because you did not know that those places did not allow parking or that you are supposed to look for a specific sign.
Know Your Rights
If you are ever pulled over by a law enforcement officer and they give you a ticket, it is your right to argue the case. However, you have to know what your rights are before you begin arguing with the cop. Are you allowed to smoke in the car? Can you leave the scene? Can you challenge the ticket in court? Do you need an attorney to help you fight the ticket? These are all important questions you have to ask yourself before you begin arguing with the officer, because once you begin arguing, you are already lost.
If you play your cards right, you can usually get out of a ticket without having to pay. But it is better to know what your rights are before you begin arguing with the officer. You can ask for an attorney to help you argue your case, if you think you deserve one, but you have to take care of the ticket first. Do not give the cop the satisfaction of arguing with you!
Pay Attention To The Sergeant
When you pull up to the window at the gas station, you will notice that there are often different officers at the window and the one at the door. The one at the window usually does not want to mess with you, but the one at the door can be a different story. When you pull up to the window, the one at the door will ask you for your license, so be ready to hand it over. Do not offer any resistance when he or she asks for it, because that could lead to you getting arrested. As soon as you have handed over your license, the officer at the window will tell you to stay in your car and that you are going to get a ticket. At this point, you are going to have to argue with the officer at the window. The one at the door will simply write you the ticket and tell you to move on. Do not offer any resistance, because it is not worth it. The best thing you can do at this point is to cooperate and pay attention to what the officer is telling you. When the officer at the window hands you the ticket, you have 30 days to pay or contest the case. After that, you have to pay the fine or go to court if you want to fight it. The officer at the door will simply hand you the fine and tell you to go.
Avoid The Doughnut Shop
If there is a donut shop at the gas station, avoid going there. Every time you go there, you are giving them money. So if you really want to avoid getting a ticket, stay away from the donut shop and any other place that sells small bites. It is best to leave the big eateries to the little ones who serve small bites, so that you do not end up with a giant bill at the end. When you have a giant bill from a donut shop, there is always a chance that you are going to get some trouble. Do not risk it!
As long as you do not do anything wrong, it is usually pretty easy to avoid getting a parking ticket. Just make sure you obey the signs and do not break the law. But if you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer and they give you a ticket, you have the right to argue the case, so be ready to argue. Do not give the cop the satisfaction of arguing with you! When you get a ticket, pay it as soon as you can. It is better to pay a ticket than to drive without knowing it. The last thing you want to do is get a criminal record, because that is the kind of record that makes getting a job difficult. So always be careful and obey the law!